Snowboarding legend Travis Rice has been touring the world to talk about his ground-breaking new movie The Art Of FLIGHT that sports movies to a new high. So looking back on his numerous interviews, here's the gospel according to Travis Rice…
… The future of snowboarding
Snowboarding is still a very young sport. It’s gaining in global recognition through films like The Art of FLIGHT, exposure from the Olympics and more televised events. Snowboarding isn’t as accessible to a global audience of potential participants as soccer is, so it may never be as popular. But, our goal is to inspire more people to go outside, explore and think in new ways.
… Audience reaction to the film
The feedback has been amazing. I knew that people would be pumped, but I had no idea that it would be to this extent. Our tour has been unprecedented in the level of how many people we are sharing this film with. People are losing their minds, coming up to me with tears in their eyes. Everyone from men in business suits to older ladies to the kids all coming to the film. That’s what is unique about this The Art of FLIGHT, it speaks to a very wide audience.
… His favourite memory of making The Art Of FLIGHT
One of the most interesting was being down in the southern tip of Patagonia. One day we were completely shut down by weather. Some crazy system came in quick and we had to fly a different route home. We flew island to island until we went over this really remote, beautiful beach on one of the southernmost islands. We landed and walked the beach. The island was covered in huge whale bones and skulls. It turns out that the island is historically a place where old whales go and die in this cove. There was a right point break coming into the bay and I remember thinking that no one has probably ever surfed out there. It was an end of the world feeling.
… His role models
[I admire] Richard Branson and his ability to believe in his own vision and see it through, plus work so hard and still really enjoy his life. It amazes me. You have to have balance. I see guys who are 60, 70 years old in suits and have just worked their whole lives. It's like, "Dude, you've worked your whole life for your life? What did you work for?"
… The message of The Art Of FLIGHT
The message is an inspirational one, for viewers to get outside. When you are outside in your element is when you learn the most about yourself. If more people were able to figure themselves out, we could raise the frequency of humanity. It’s more important than the tricks or pow slashes or anything gnarly to me. We’re trying to do something good for snowboarding as a whole. Maybe we can alter someone’s daily habits and get them outside more everyday.
Vote Travis Rice for National Geographic Adventurer of the Year
… Entering the world of snowboarding
I was welcomed with open arms. Bryan Iguchi really helped me out quite a bit, same with Lance Pitman and the rest of the Jackson crew. They took time bringing me out on snowmobiles when they were filming. The Jackson posse helped to get me started. When I was very young I really looked up to the whole Jackson scene Brody Dowell, Pitman and Iguchi. Of course, I also looked up to legends like Terje Haakonsen, Travis Parker and Josh Dirksen. I entered the scene pretty quickly and was fairly impressionable.
… What he most fears
I fear injury. I fear the unthinkable happening to friends and family. But, you don’t fight fear you embrace it. You don’t resist fear, you listen to it. Half the time fear is your higher self telling you something. You just need to open your mind to listen.
… The importance of learning new tricks
Doing a new trick is always rewarding. We’re constantly out there pushing ourselves. It’s one thing to go out there and try something that you’ve seen someone else do. It’s a whole different story to put yourself out there trying tricks that no one else has ever done. It’s all in your own mind. It’s the most rewarding thing in snowboarding, riding a line or landing a trick that no one else as ever done. You grow as a person and gain confidence in your own riding.
… What’s next
My motivation is to try new things. I learn so much, even from failed endeavours. Everything tried is a life experience. Let’s face it, we’re human and if we learn from each other’s mistakes then we’d live in a very different world than we do. I guess it’s the school of trial and error. I try to figure out endeavours that I feel can be extremely rewarding, but when they aren’t you still learn quite a bit.
(c) Red Bull Contentpool / Stan Evans
See Travis Rice's photos from behind the scenes at the Art of Flight world tour.
Want more?
- Play The Art of FLIGHT game now!
- John Jackson on the Art of Flight
- Check out the Red Bull Art of FLIGHT page
- The official Art of FLIGHT site
- Click here to buy your own copy of The Art Of FLIGHT
- Take a look at Travis’ profile page
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